Nope, I've done it exactly this way many times.  Push the flywheel all the
way in (towards the rear of the engine), and measure the distance from the
case bolt-flat area to the front of the flywheel (front is front!), then
pull the crank all the way out and measure the same area again (it's better
not to move the caliper, if you can manage to keep it in place).  The
difference is crankshaft endplay.  Unless, as someone pointed out earlier to
one of my listgroups, the front main bearing is loose in the case, then it's
more than that, but that's not likely.  Handy method, tho, maybe not as
accurate as the usual method.  Does anyone else agree?

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kai Mei" <kai@NEWCLEAR.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 8:21 PM
Subject: Cranshaft Endplay setting

> Is trying to check the endplay with a
>
> 6" Electronic Digital Caliper Vernier Micrometer
>
> a hopeless idea?
>
>
> Also does an 87 need the 12 pt. CV tool?
>
> Thanks.